In which I create a Family Menu Board

Psst. Guess what? 

I made something in the last two weeks I've been MIA. I know a few friends who will be super happy that I've gone back to a few DIYs. 

I present: Our Family Menu Board!

Making Our Home.......Our Home

Did you think I'd fallen off the edge of the earth? It felt like it for a second. Man, that migraine over Wednesday and Thursday really took it out of me. I got home from work on Friday and just said, "Nope." Nope to making dinner. Nope to leaving my chair. Nope to having the computer open in front of me. Just nope.

So I'm back today, refreshed and rarin' to blog!

Kitchen Storage Renovation

Levi and I spent the first year and a half of our marriage dreaming of our ideal kitchen. Words like "rustic," "open shelves," and "spice racks" dominated most of our searches on Pinterest, but there were very few images that matched what was floating around in our minds. The two best ones we could find were these pictures:

Fun and FREE: Kitchen-Themed Printables

I've always wanted some fun printables for my home, but I usually can't find things that fit our personal style. So what was my solution? Make my own, of course!

And I enjoyed the process so much (and the result!) that I felt like sharing them with y'all. 

So here you go! Four fun and pun-filled kitchen printables, free, and readily available for download! Just click on link below the printable you want, and you'll be taken to a site with high-resolution versions of each printable, totally free for your enjoyment. 

Enjoy!

Download HERE!

Fun New Toy: Stoneware

A few months ago a friend was kind enough to let my mother and I do a lot of baking at her home for my wedding, and she brought out one of the most amazing tools: stoneware.

This stoneware is different than ceramic or finely finished stoneware. Instead, it looks plain and unfinished, which it is. Over time it starts to get the coolest coloration from the heat and the oils used on it while cooking.

The benefit of stoneware is that it evenly distributes heat and draws away moisture from the surface. It also retains heat evenly, allowing food out of the oven to remain hot for longer. It's virtually nonporous, so it doesn't retain any oils or flavors from food cooked on it. It's safe for the freezer, microwave, and ovens as well.

Stoneware does need to be cared for carefully. It should only be rinsed off with water and wiped down with a soft cloth. It cannot be put in the dishwasher either. At first, the stoneware feels rough and scratchy, but use in the oven eventually smooths it out so that it feels smooth.

The even heat distribution make this piece ideal for pastries and breads, but you can cook anything you want on it. I know I plan to! Thank you so much to the friend who got it for me!